To all:
Today's weather made me think Spring is just around the corner! The next several weeks are very busy for everyone. I'm covering a lot of information in this week's update, so please read carefully and check your calendars. Here's the schedule from now until Spring Break:
February | ||||
28 | WIMBA Meeting & OMEA Committee | WYHS Band Room | 6:30 PM | |
March | ||||
3 | Pre-Contest Concert (All WYHS Bands) | WYHS Auditorium | 7:00 PM | |
5 | Winter Fundraiser Community Blitz | Whitehall | 9AM-12PM | |
8 | SPECIAL REHEARSAL (Concert & Symphonic Bands) | 2:00-4:00 PM | ||
8 | Parent/Teacher Conferences | WYHS | 4:00-7:30 PM | |
10 | Parent/Teacher Conferences | WYHS | 4:00-7:30 PM | |
11 | NO SCHOOL | |||
11 | OMEA Choir Contest @ WYHS (See Below) | 2:30-11:00 PM | ||
12 | OMEA Choir Contest @ WYHS (See Below) | 8:00-4:00 PM | ||
18 | OMEA Band Contest (See Below) | TBA | ||
19 | OMEA Band Contest (See Below) | TBA | ||
29 | RMS Band Concert | WYHS Auditorium | 6:30 PM | |
April | ||||
14 | Popcorn Concert (DATE CHANGE) | WYHS Auditorium | 6:00 PM |
Below is more detailed information for some of the items above:
Pre-Contest Concert - This Thursday March 3
The members of the Stage Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band will present their "Winter/Pre-Contest Concert" @ 7:00PM in the WYHS Auditorium. Band Call is 6:00PM. Dress: Uniforms - NO Overlays or Spats - BLACK SHOES & LONG BLACK SOCKS
Ram Band Discount Books: Community Blitz - Saturday March 5
To provide a huge boost to our fundraising efforts, we will have a Community Blitz Day Saturday March 5 (9am-12pm) for our members to go out into the community. Teams of band members will split up with a chaperone and canvas Whitehall. The Community Blitz Day plus a three-week fundraising window makes the potential for this fundraiser very good.
Special Rehearsal (Concert & Symphonic Bands) - Tuesday, March 8
Members of the Concert and Symphonic Bands will welcome Mr. David Shaffer, nationally-renowned band composer next Tuesday March 8 for a special rehearsal. He has graciously offered his time and expertise to assist our students in their preparations for OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event. Mr. Shaffer will attend our regular in-school rehearsal and then offer his thoughts and suggestions to both bands. Members should make arrangements to stay until 4:00PM for this special rehearsal.
Parent/Teacher Conferences - March 8 & 10
If you would like to schedule a conference with Mr. Brough or myself, please call Mrs. Gibson in the main office (417-5100). All request are run through the main office so they can track our conferences.
WYHS to host OMEA Large Group "Choir" Event - March 11 & 12
In just two weeks, the WYHS Music Department will host OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event for 'Choirs'. We are seeking as many parents, family members and friends to assist us. If you are interested in volunteering, please come to our organizational meeting this Monday evening following the regular WIMBA meeting. Students: We will hold a separate meeting with you to discuss your involvement and how you will contribute to a successful weekend.
OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event - Bands
Each year, the Whitehall-Yearling bands participate in the OMEA Large Group Adjudicated Event. Our collective participation in these events is very important to the musical growth of our program. The members of the Concert and Symphonic Bands will perform three prepared pieces of music for three adjudicators and then sight-read an additional work for the fourth adjudicator.
In years past, we would travel to a site within our OMEA district but hosting choir event provides a great opportunity. So we can efficiently and successfully host the choir event as well as perform to the best of our ability; the bands will travel "out of district" to perform.
Last Item: Clearing Up Some Communication
This past Tuesday, we checked in with all WYHS band students regarding their progress on our Winter Fundraiser. Sales have been slower than I would have hoped, so I took a moment to speak to the students about "why" we fundraise. Some parents have contacted me with concerns and unfortunately, my message to the bands was not clear on my part. To clear up the confusion, here were the main points:
- The "New Uniform Project" is a long-term investment of time and resources with a goal of new band uniforms by Fall 2013. It takes years of fundraising to supply the funds needed, approx. $25,000.
- I would like our students and families to be fully invested in the Whitehall band experience. Our ability to self-sustain shows the school district and the community how much we believe in what we do. Band programs throughout Ohio are currently in or exploring "Pay-to-Play" models. We have absolutely NO plans on moving in that direction; but I would like us to mindful of the changes going on around us and thankful for our blessings.
- There may be day when WIMBA will be asked to assume more financial responsibility for the activities of the bands. For example: many band boosters throughout Ohio currently pay for bussing. Large scale fundraisers are the key to the success of this possible responsibility.
- Construction Update: We should be flexible and understanding as this major project moves forward. Our end goal; the new WYHS band room will be better than what we have now. During our transition time, we will squeeze the entire WYHS band into the RMS band room; hopefully for only 1.5 years. We will continue our success in spite of our small confines and strained spaces. We will still have the Marching "Ram" Band, Stage Band, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band well past our brief transition at old RMS.
Thank you again for all your continued support. We look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night at the WIMBA meeting and Thursday evening for the Pre-Contest Concert.
GO RAMS!!!
Mr. Herrmann
